Things ignited by a shocking start on Sunday afternoon as reigning champion Shaun Murphy fell foul of the dreaded three miss rule. Of all the professional players in this sport, the last one you would envisage forfeiting a frame is him. But that did happen and this became the catalyst to his demise at the hands of lucky-boy Mark Allen. All respect to Shaun for trying to make a comeback but it was all a little too late. He was never in the match at any point and his reliable long pot game was still digesting the Christmas turkey. Shaun can achieve a lot in this sport if only he buckled up on wasting precious practice time on Twitter replying to every Tom, Dick and Harry.
What can be said about Ding Jinhui's lack of wins that hasn't been said already. His new cue is not helping him but I think there's something else going on with the Chinese number 1 - a tag that he is in danger of losing if he doesn't conjure up a big tournament win in the next month or two. Ding's home life should be comfortable, what with all the money he earns from sponsors on top of his winnings. But as well all are well accustomed to: money doesn't buy you happiness. And if Ding is not happy at home then his game will not click.
Mark Selby and Neil Robertson were robotic in their respective wins. It's hard to keep that kind of form for the rest of the week but it will be interesting if they do and then meet in the final. Now that would be a final. But first both of them have to get through the quarters against two of the games most popular players - Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Judd Trump has long been hailed as Snooker's savior. One who will sit on the throne once Ronnie O'Sullivan abdicates or is thrown off. But putting the weight of the sport's future on his party-going shoulders is a big risk. I've never been a fan of his game - it's more hit and hope than anything else - and I seriously believe he will never ever be as big as he is prophesied. In fact it will take a miracle for him to even pick up that World title that he's been 'destined' to since he was in his mother's womb. I've heard that he's going to cut the partying down and concentrate more on his snooker. Too late for my liking. His best years were these and he has let them go by chasing girls and damaging his liver.
While Ronnie O'Sullivan is present, that tournament is on fire. When he is defeated or never enters in the first place, it devalues it. Interest fades and casual fan decides to skip it. Mark Williams is spot on when he says that the powers that be should pay him whatever he demands - to make him enter. He is snooker. Without him this sport will live on, like many things do, but will have no soul or fire. Nice to see him sneaking into the quarters as it keeps this Masters alive.
